Winged catheter securing tape

ABSTRACT

A winged catheter securing tape including a base having a non-adhesive upper surface and an adhesive lower surface, spaced areas of adhesive on said upper surface with a first non-adhesive area therebetween, and a second non-adhesive area on said lower surface in opposition to said first non-adhesive area.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

Not Applicable

STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENT

Not Applicable

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to a winged catheter securing tape forsecuring a winged catheter to the skin of a patient without stitching itthereto and without applying it directly to the skin and thereaftertaping over it.

By way of background, there are numerous types of winged catheters inmedical use. These include subclavian catheters, IJ catheters, femoralcatheters, Hickman catheters and fistula needles. The above varioustypes of winged catheters have wings extending outwardly from a centralportion thereof. There are two types of wings. One type has holes in thewings, and it is sutured to a patient's skin by passing sutures throughholes in the wings and through the skin of the patient. A second typehas its wings applied directly to the skin or onto a non-adhesivesurface of a tape which is adhesively applied to the skin and is held inposition by a tape which passes over the top of the wings. The firsttype requires direct suturing to the skin. The second type is subject tothe deficiency that it may not be held securely in position, and, incertain instances, the wings may irritate the skin when they are applieddirectly thereto. It is with overcoming the foregoing deficiencies ofwinged catheters that the present winged catheter securing tape isconcerned.

While the winged catheter securing tape of the present invention isapplicable to all of the above-mentioned winged catheters, and also toothers which have not been mentioned, the following description will beconfined to a fistula needle type of winged catheter inasmuch as it isrepresentative of all winged catheters which are defined as “a tubularmedical device for insertion into canals, vessels, passageways or bodycavities, usually to permit injection or withdrawal of fluids or to keepa passage open.” (Webster's New Collegiate Dictionary, 1973).

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

It is one object of the present invention to provide a winged cathetersecuring tape which obviates the need for suturing to the skin orrelying solely on taping over to hold it in place in direct contact withthe skin.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a winged cathetersecuring tape which is extremely simple in construction.

A further object of the present invention is to provide a wingedcatheter securing tape which operates in an extremely simple andefficient manner.

A still further object of the present invention is to provide a wingedcatheter securing tape which can be fabricated in a simple manner.

Yet another object of the present invention is to provide a wingedcatheter securing tape which can be applied by a patient with one hand.Other objects and attendant advantages of the present invention willreadily be perceived hereafter.

The present invention relates to a winged catheter securing tapecomprising a base having an upper surface and a lower surface, adhesiveon said lower surface facing downwardly, and at least one area ofadhesive on said base facing upwardly relative to said upper surface,said at least one area being less than the total expanse of said base.

The various aspects of the present invention will be more fullyunderstood when the following portions of the specification are read inconjunction with the accompanying drawings wherein:

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWING

FIG. 1 is a exploded perspective view of one embodiment of the wingedcatheter securing tape of the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the assembled winged catheter securingtape of FIG. 1 mounted on a patient;

FIG. 3 is a fragmentary perspective view showing the winged cathetersecuring tape applied to a patient with a winged catheter in the form ofa fistula needle in place thereon;

FIG. 4 is an end elevational view taken substantially in the directionof arrows 4-4 of FIG. 3 showing the tab of the winged catheter securingtape in a closed position;

FIG. 5 is an end elevational view similar to FIG. 4 showing the tab ofthe winged catheter securing tape being opened;

FIG. 6 is an end elevational view similar to FIG. 5 showing the tabfully opened and the winged catheter being disassembled from thesecuring tape;

FIG. 7 is a fragmentary perspective view of another embodiment of awinged catheter securing tape mounted on a patient and having anadditional window exposing adhesive on the tab for attachment to awinged catheter;

FIG. 8 is a fragmentary perspective view showing a winged catheter inthe form of a fistula needle in position on the winged catheter securingtape of FIG. 7 and the tab being moved to a closed position after theneedle of the winged catheter has been inserted into the patient;

FIG. 9 is an end elevational view taken substantially in the directionof arrows 9-9 of FIG. 8 showing the tab in a fully closed position;

FIG. 10 is a fragmentary perspective view of still another embodiment ofa winged catheter securing tape mounted on a patient;

FIG. 11 is a fragmentary perspective view showing a winged catheter inthe form of a fistula needle mounted on the winged catheter securingtape of FIG. 10;

FIG. 12 is an end elevational view taken substantially in the directionof arrows 12-12 of FIG. 11 showing the tab in a closed position;

FIG. 13 is an exploded fragmentary perspective view of a winged cathetersecuring tape base which does not have an attached tab and which is alsodesigned for one-handed operation by a dialysis patient who will havethe securing tape mounted on his arm;

FIG. 13A is a perspective view of the base of FIG. 13 showing theunderside thereof;

FIG. 14 is a fragmentary perspective view of the winged cathetersecuring tape base of FIG. 13 mounted on a patient and with a wingedcatheter in the form of a fistula needle mounted on the securing tape;

FIG. 15 is a fragmentary perspective view showing how a separateoverlying piece of tape is applied to the winged catheter securing tapebase having the winged catheter mounted thereon;

FIG. 16 is an end elevational view taken substantially in the directionof arrows 16-16 of FIG. 15 showing the winged catheter securing tapewith an overlying tape in a fully closed position;

FIG. 17 is an end elevational view showing the overlying tape beingremoved and the winged catheter being removed from the base;

FIG. 18 is an end elevational view showing the securing tape base beingremoved from the skin of the patient;

FIG. 19 is a fragmentary perspective view showing the base of FIG. 13with a winged catheter in the form of a fistula needle mounted thereonand the configuration which it assumes when it is being held by a personpreparatory to inserting the needle through the skin;

FIG. 19A is a fragmentary perspective view showing the base of FIG. 19being held by a person;

FIG. 20 is a fragmentary perspective view showing the base of FIG. 19being held by a person and the needle being inserted through the skin;

FIG. 21 is a fragmentary perspective view showing the base being presseddown onto the skin after the needle has been inserted and also showingthe release paper being removed;

FIG. 21A is a fragmentary perspective view of the final step of removingthe release paper and pressing the base onto the skin;

FIG. 22 is a fragmentary perspective view similar to FIG. 19 but showingthe needle of the winged catheter on the securing tape of FIG. 2 beinginserted through the skin;

FIG. 23 is a fragmentary perspective view showing another way ofmounting the winged catheter on the base of FIG. 13 after the needle ofthe fistula needle has been inserted through the skin;

FIG. 24 is a fragmentary perspective view showing the winged catheterbeing secured to the base after the base has been moved into positionunder it and after the needle has been inserted through the skin;

FIG. 25 is a fragmentary perspective view of another embodiment of awinged catheter securing tape base which is a variation of the base ofFIG. 13;

FIG. 26 is a fragmentary perspective view of another embodiment whereina winged catheter securing tape is produced by combining a cutout ribbonwith a double sided tape;

FIG. 27 is a fragmentary view taken substantially in the direction ofarrows 27-27 of FIG. 26;

FIG. 28 is an exploded view of still another embodiment of a wingedcatheter securing tape base;

FIG. 29 is a fragmentary view showing the base of FIG. 28 overlying apatient's skin and in the process of having the release paper removed;

FIG. 30 is a fragmentary perspective view showing the base of FIG. 29secured to the patient's skin and the release paper being removed fromits top to expose the adhesive and the winged catheter being applied tothe exposed adhesive;

FIG. 31 is a fragmentary perspective view showing the winged catheterfully mounted on the patient's skin with a ribbon attached to the topthereof;

FIG. 32 is a perspective exploded view of another embodiment of a wingedcatheter securing tape base which does not have an attached tab andwhich is designed for one-handed operation by a dialysis patient whowill have the securing tape mounted on his arm;

FIG. 33 is a perspective view of the winged catheter securing tape ofFIG. 32 in assembled condition and which is being partiallydisassembled;

FIG. 34 is a fragmentary perspective view of the winged cathetersecuring tape base of FIG. 33 adhesively secured to a patient's skinwith the needle of the fistula needle inserted through the patient'sskin and with a tape being applied over the winged catheter;

FIG. 35 is an exploded view of another embodiment of a winged cathetersecuring tape base which does not have an attached tab;

FIG. 36 is a fragmentary view of an assembled winged catheter securingtape of FIG. 35 mounted on a patient's skin with the needle insertedthrough the skin and an overlying tape being applied to the base;

FIG. 37 is an exploded view of a winged catheter securing tape basewhich is similar to FIG. 13 but which utilizes a stratum of adhesiveinstead of double-sided adhesive tape;

FIG. 38 is an exploded view of still another embodiment of a wingedcatheter securing tape base which has roll-coated adhesive surfaces onboth the upper and lower surfaces thereof;

FIG. 39 is an exploded view of still another embodiment of a wingedcatheter securing tape base which is fabricated of a plurality of piecesof adhesive tape;

FIG. 40 is a perspective view of still another embodiment of a wingedcatheter securing tape which is similar to FIG. 2 but uses hook and pilefabric to secure the tab to the base;

FIG. 41 is a perspective view of still another embodiment of a wingedcatheter securing tape which is similar to the tape of FIG. 9 but useshook and pile fabric to secure the tab to the base; and

FIG. 42 is an exploded view of still another embodiment of the wingedcatheter securing tape of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

Summarizing briefly in advance, all embodiments of the present inventionare for securing a winged catheter to a patient. This is accomplished inseveral different ways by several different embodiments, all of whicheliminate the need for suturing the wings of a winged catheter to apatient's skin or taping over a winged catheter which is in directcontact with the skin, while permitting the winged catheter to beapplied to the patient in an extremely simple, expedient and efficientmanner and also permitting the winged catheter to be removed in anexpedient manner.

The winged catheter securing tape of the present invention will bedescribed hereafter relative to a fistula needle type of wingedcatheter. The fistula needle is used in a dialysis procedure. In onetype of dialysis procedure there is a tube surgically connecting anartery to a vein, and the needle is inserted into the vein which hasbeen enlarged, and which is known as a fistula, to access blood flow. Inanother type of dialysis procedure a graft is sewn to surgically connectan artery and a vein, and the needle is inserted into the graft. Thewinged catheter securing tape is intended to be used with a fistulaneedle type of winged catheter as described above, and the wingedcatheter securing tape can be used with any type of winged catheter,such as those mentioned above and also others where the winged catheteris to be secured to a patient or to any other type of medical devicewith which the winged catheter is associated.

A winged catheter 10 in the form of a fistula needle is shown in FIG. 3,and it includes a central tubular member 11 which is in communicationwith a tubular catheter 12 leading from an external source. The oppositeend of tubular member 11 communicates with a needle 13 which is insertedthrough the skin 14 into a fistula or graft of a patient. Formedintegrally with tubular member 11 are a pair of wings 15 which in thepast were either sewn to a patient's skin or taped over without anyother securement relative to the patient's skin. The winged catheterwhich was sewn to the patient's skin had holes in the wings. The typewhich was taped over merely had wings, as shown, without holes.

One embodiment of the present invention is shown in FIGS. 1-6. Thewinged catheter securing tape 20 includes a length of adhesive tape 17having an upper non-adhesive surface 19 and a lower adhesive surface 21.A tab 22 is formed by folding the tape on itself so that the adhesivesurfaces 21 adhere to each other. The remainder of the tape is a base 22consisting of sections 23 and 24. The base 23 has cutouts 25, 27 and 29therein. A double-sided tape 30 includes an adhesive upper tape surface31 and an adhesive lower tape surface 32 with a layer of material 33therebetween. The double-sided tape 30 is adhered in underlyingrelationship to base portion 23 such that the adhesive surface 31 isexposed through cutouts 25, 27 and 29 to thereby provide adhesivesurfaces which face upwardly through the upper surface of base portion23. The base portion 24 has the adhesive 21 on its lower surface. Acutout 34 is located in one layer of the tab 17 proximate the free end35 of tab 17 so that the adhesive on the other layer 37 of the tab isexposed. A release paper 39 covers the adhesive surfaces on the lowersurface of base 22 and it is removed prior to adhering the base 22 tothe patient's skin 14.

In FIG. 3 a winged catheter 10 in the form of a fistula needle is shownin position on the winged catheter securing tape 20 with the wings 15being adhered to the adhesive surfaces 31 in cutouts 25 and 27. Thetubular portion 11 of the winged catheter 10 rests on the non-adhesivesurface 40 of peninsula-like base portion 41.

After the base 22 has been applied to the patient 14, as shown in FIG.3, and the winged catheter 10 has been placed in position thereon, asalso shown in FIG. 3, the tab 22 is moved downwardly from the positionof FIG. 3 to the position of FIG. 4 whereupon the exposed adhesive 21 incutout 34 will engage with the exposed adhesive 31 in cutout 29 toadditionally securely hold the winged catheter 10 in position. It willbe appreciated, however, that there need not be exposed adhesive in bothcutouts 34 and 29. An exposed cutout in either the tab or base portion23 would suffice to maintain the tab 22 in position.

When it is desired to remove the winged catheter 10, the procedure shownin FIGS. 5 and 6 is followed. First of all, the tab 26 is moved awayfrom base 22, as depicted in FIG. 5. Thereafter, the wings 15 of wingedcatheter 10 are removed from adhesive engagement with the adhesive incutaway portions 25 and 27 of base portion 23. Thereafter, the wingedcatheter 10 can be moved in the direction of arrow 42 (FIG. 3), becausethe tubular portion 11 of the winged catheter rests on peninsula-likeportion 41 which does not have an adhesive surface. It is to be notedfrom FIG. 6, that after the wings 15 have been moved in the direction ofarrows 43, the absence of an adhesive surface on peninsula 41 permitsthe winged catheter to be moved in the direction of arrow 42 (FIG. 3)without having to lift the winged catheter 10 upwardly away from base22, as would be the case if there were adhesive on peninsula-likeportion 41. Also, the lack of adhesive on peninsula 40 permits theneedle to be inserted through the skin after the securing tape has beensecured to the skin. In this respect the wings of the winged needle arebent to a U-configuration, as shown in FIG. 23, and held between thethumb and index finger without being attached to the securing tape, andthe tip of the needle is inserted through the skin at a pointsubstantially adjacent to the edge of the securing tape, as shown inFIG. 3, until the needle reaches its desired depth. The movement oftubular portion 11 across peninsula 41 and the portion of non-adhesivesurface 40 of the tape adjacent to peninsula 41 in a direction oppositeto arrow 42 can be easily effected because the surface of peninsula 41and surface 41 do not have adhesive thereon. After the needle reachesits desired depth, the wings 15 are pressed downwardly onto tapesurfaces 31 in cutouts 25 and 27.

In FIGS. 7-9 another embodiment 20 a of a winged catheter securing tapeis shown. This embodiment is identical in all respects to the embodimentof FIG. 6 except for the fact that it has a cutout 44 in one layer oftab 26′ which exposes the adhesive 31. The remaining structure of wingedcatheter securing tape 20 a is identical to the embodiment of FIGS. 1-6and will be designated by identical numerals as in FIGS. 1-6 withoutrepeating the description thereof to which reference may be made toFIGS. 1-6. When the tab 26′ (FIG. 9) is in the closed position, theadhesive 31 in cutout 44 will adhere to the portions of winged catheter10 which it contacts, thereby more firmly holding the winged catheter 10against movement after its needle has been inserted through the skin.

In FIGS. 10-12 another winged catheter securing tape modification 20 bis shown. This embodiment differs in a number of respects from theembodiments of FIGS. 1-6 and 7-9. The tab 26′ is identical to that shownin FIGS. 7-9 and will contain identical numerals without an additionaldescription. The base portion 24 is identical to the base portions 24 ofFIGS. 1-6 and 7-9. The base portion 23′ differs from the base portion 23of the preceding figures. In this respect it has an elongated cutout 45which exposes the adhesive surface 31 of double-sided adhesive tape 30.The wings 15 are placed in cutout 45 with adhesive engagement toadhesive 31. When the tab 26′ is moved to the closed position of FIG.12, the adhesive 31 in cutout 34 will engage the non-adhesive surfaceportion 47 at the outer end of base portion 23′ to retain the tab 26′ inits position of FIG. 12. Also, the adhesive 31 in cutout 44 willfunction in the same manner as described above relative to theembodiment of FIGS. 7-9. It will be appreciated that, if desired, anon-adhesive strip may be placed in cutout 45 to function in the samemanner as peninsula-like structure 41 of FIGS. 1-6 and 7-9.

In FIGS. 13-18 a winged catheter securing tape base 20 c is shown. Thebase 20 c is formed from a strip of non-adhesive tape 49 having endportions 50 and cutouts 51 therein with a peninsula-like portion 52therebetween. A double-sided tape 53 is adhesively secured to the lowersurface or underside 56 of tape 49 so that an adhesive surface facesupwardly through cutouts 51 after double-sided adhesive tape 53 has beenassembled with non-adhesive tape 49. Two pieces of release paper 54cover the lower surface of double-sided tape 53, and a strip 55 ofnon-adhesive material is secured to the underside of double-sided tape53. The end portions 50 of non-adhesive tape protrude beyonddouble-sided tape 53 (FIG. 13A). It will be appreciated thatdouble-sided tape 53 may be identical to double-sided tape 30 describedabove in FIG. 1 or it may be a type of adhesive film which is notactually a double-sided tape, but consists of an adhesive stratum. Itwill be appreciated that the adhesive stratum and the double-sidedadhesive tapes 30 and 53, are essentially interchangeable and will be soconsidered relative to all embodiments of the present invention.

The winged catheter securing tape 20 c functions in the followingmanner: After the two pieces of release paper 54 are removed, the base49 is applied to the patient 14. Thereafter, the wings 15 of the wingedcatheter are adhered to the portions of adhesive 53 which extendupwardly through cutouts 51 after the needle 13 has been insertedthrough the skin of the patient. Thereafter, an independent strip ofadhesive tape 57 is overlaid on the base 49, as depicted in FIG. 15,with the ends of the independent strip 57 extending beyond the securingtape 20 c onto the skin.

In order to remove the winged catheter from the patient, the first stepis to remove the adhesive tape 57 (FIG. 17) and thereafter lift thewings 15 away from adhesive securement with base 20 c, as also shown inFIG. 17. Thereafter, the needle 13 can be withdrawn from the patient bypulling the needle in the direction of arrow 42 of FIG. 3, consideringthat there is no adhesive securement between tubular portion 11 of thewinged catheter with the base 20 c because of the presence ofpeninsula-like portion 52. Thereafter, the base 20 c can be removed fromthe patient very easily because the extreme ends 50 of non-adhesive tape49 extend beyond the double-sided adhesive tape 53 so that such ends maybe easily grasped. While member 49 is shown as being a non-adhesive tapeof the type having a non-adhesive surfaces, it will be appreciated thatan adhesive tape can also be used with cutouts 57 provided that theadhesive surface is placed against the double-sided tape 53. If it isdesired to have non-adhesive ends such as 50 (FIG. 13A) when using anadhesive tape, the adhesive lower surface can terminate short ofnon-adhesive ends 50.

The base 20 c can also be removed from the skin without removing tape 57from base 20 c. In this respect, the ends of tape 57 need merely bepulled sufficiently away from the skin to expose ends 50, and thereafterthe ends 50 can be pulled away from the skin while tape 57 is still inoverlying relationship to base 20 c, with the wings of the wingedcatheter 10 sandwiched between base 20 c and tape 57.

In FIGS. 19-21A the steps are shown whereby the winged catheter securingbase of FIGS. 13-18 may be installed onto a patient using one hand. Thisis done in cases wherein the winged needle has to be applied to the armof a person working by himself. This procedure includes using two handsto apply the winged catheter 10 to the base 20 c with wings 15 inposition, as shown in FIG. 14. Thereafter, using both hands, the releasepaper 54 is bent up as shown with their corners 58 in the position shownin FIG. 19. In this respect, as noted above, when the release paperpieces 54 are initially installed, they are separated along line 59(FIG. 13). Thereafter, a person grasps the winged catheter securing base20 c between the thumb and index finger while pressing on turned-up tabs58, after the winged catheter securing tape has been folded into theU-configuration shown in FIGS. 19 and 19A. Of course, after the wingedcatheter 10 has been applied to the base, the winged catheter securingtape 20 c can be folded into the U-shape before the tabs 58 are turnedup. The next step is to insert needle 13 through the skin of patient 14,as depicted in FIG. 20. After the needle 13 has been inserted throughthe skin to the desired depth, the central portion of base 20 c ispressed down onto the skin to adhesively secure the portions of the baseon opposite sides of strip 53 against movement, and this is followed byremoving release paper 54 and pressing one side of the base onto theskin, as depicted by arrow 60. Thereafter, the other piece of releasepaper 54 is removed followed by pressing the other portion of the baseonto the skin as depicted by arrow 61 (FIG. 21A).

The winged catheter securing base 20 c of FIG. 13 can be removed fromits fully mounted position with one-handed operation in the followingmanner: The ends 50 of the base are not adhesively secured to the skin.Therefore, the ends can be lifted up with one hand and the adjacentportions of the base can be detached from adhesive relationship with theskin, one side at a time. Thereafter, the base is manipulated into aU-shaped configuration, and the needle 13 is withdrawn from the patientin a straight line direction, as depicted by arrow 42 of FIG. 3. This isfacilitated by the fact that the non-adhesive strip 55 underlies theportion 11 of the winged needle to thereby permit direct line removal inthe direction 42 (FIG. 3). If there was an adhesive securementunderneath tubular portion 11, the winged catheter would have to be bentaway from the patient, thereby tending to move needle 13 upwardly awayfrom the patient while it was still embedded in the patient.

In FIG. 22 it is shown how a winged catheter securing tape, such asshown in FIGS. 1-6, can be applied to a patient by one-handed operationby moving the parts to the position shown in FIG. 22, by following thesteps essentially described above in FIGS. 19-21A. The only differencebetween the winged catheter securing tape shown in FIG. 22 and thatshown in FIG. 1 is that the embodiment shown in FIG. 22 utilizes twopieces of release paper 54 rather than the one piece of release paper 39shown in FIG. 1. After needle 13 has been inserted to the requireddepth, the steps described above relative to FIGS. 19-21A are followedfor completing the insertion. Also the steps described above can befollowed for removing the needle from the patient.

In FIGS. 23 and 24 a procedure is depicted for mounting a wingedcatheter 10 onto a base 20 c after the needle 13 has been insertedthrough the skin 14 to the proper depth. In this respect, the needle isinserted by folding the wings 15 up as shown to grasp opposite sidesthereof and inserting the needle 13 through the skin to the properdepth. Thereafter, while the wings 15 are held in the position shown inFIG. 23 with the tubular portion 11 away from the skin, the wingedcatheter securing tape base 20 c, with the release paper 54 removed fromthe central portion thereof proximate non-adhesive strip 55, is slid inthe direction of arrows 62 with the peninsula-like portion 52 underlyingthe tubular portion 11 of the winged needle. When the winged cathetersecuring tape 20 c reaches the proper position, the release paper 54 isfully removed, and the base 20 c is pressed downwardly onto the skin 14to provide adhesive securement therewith. Thereafter, the wings 15 arepressed downwardly onto the securing tape, as depicted in FIG. 24. Theexistence of non-adhesive strip 55 permits the securing tape 20 c to beslid in the direction 62 while the adjacent adhesive portions of theundersurface are held slightly away from the skin.

Another embodiment 20 d which is similar to the securing tape 20 c isshown in FIG. 25. This embodiment includes a non-adhesive tape 49 asdescribed above relative to FIG. 13. However, it does not use a fulllength of adhesive material such as described above at 53 relative toFIG. 13. Instead it uses two spaced pieces 63 of adhesive materialplaced on the underside of tape 49 so as to provide adhesive surfaceswithin cutaways 51. A non-adhesive surface 56 is located betweenadhesive pieces 54. Thus, this embodiment does not utilize an extrastrip of non-adhesive material, such as 55 (FIG. 13A), underneathpeninsula-like portion 52.

In FIGS. 26 and 27 a still further embodiment of the present inventionis shown. This embodiment 20 e includes a non-adhesive tape 17′ which issimilar in all respects to adhesive tape 17 of FIG. 1 except that itdoes not have an adhesive undersurface. This non-adhesive tape 17′ ismounted on a double-sided tape 64 such that the double-sided tapeunderlies base portions 23″ and 24″ of base 22′ and also underlies thesides of tab 26″ so that when tab 26″ is formed, the two sides thereofadhere to each other. Furthermore, the adhesive surface 31″ protrudesthrough cutouts 34″, 25″, 27″ and 29″.

In FIGS. 28-31 yet another winged catheter securing tape 20 f is shownwhich comprises a base of double-sided tape 65 having a non-adhesivestrip 67 adhesively secured to the upper surface thereof and a strip ofnon-adhesive tape 69 secured to the undersurface thereof in oppositionto tape 67. Two release paper sections 70 are applied to the uppersurface of double-sided tape 65 and two release paper sections 71 areapplied to the lower surface of double-sided tape 65. To apply thewinged catheter securing tape 20 f to the patient's skin 14, the twopieces of release paper 71 are pulled away from the undersurface and thetape is pressed down onto the skin as depicted by arrow 72. Thereafter,the release paper 70 is removed from the upper surface of the wingedcatheter securing tape 20 f. The needle 13 is then inserted through theskin and the wings 15 are pressed down onto the upper surface in thedirection of arrows 76 with the central tubular portion 11 thereofoverlying non-adhesive surface 67. Thereafter, a separate piece of tape73 is placed in overlying relationship to winged catheter securing tape20 f with the winged needle 10 mounted thereon. The tape 76 may beadhesive or non-adhesive tape. Adhesive tape is preferable so that itsends may extend beyond tape 65 and adhere to the skin. As noted above,the double-sided adhesive tape 65 can be replaced by a type of tapewhich comprises a stratum of adhesive which has an adhesive surface onopposite sides thereof without being applied to a tape therebetween.

In FIGS. 32-34 another embodiment 20 g of a winged catheter securingtape is shown which is capable of being applied by one hand, as issometimes necessary by a dialysis patient. This procedure was describedabove relative to FIGS. 19-21A. The embodiment 20 g is a variation ofthe embodiment of FIGS. 13-18. In this respect, the securing tape 20 gincludes a tape 74 having cutouts 75 therein. A double-sided adhesivemember 77 is placed in underlying relationship to tape 74 so thatportions 79 of tape 77 are exposed through cutaway portions 75. Anadhesive tape 80 has its non-adhesive surface 81 adhesively secured tothe underside of member 77. Two pieces of release paper 82 are appliedto the underside of adhesive tape 80 which has a strip 83 with anon-adhesive surface extending downwardly underlying peninsula-likeportion 84 of tape 74. One of the initial steps in applying the wingedcatheter securing tape to the skin 14 is to form tabs 58′ whichcorrespond to tabs 58 of FIG. 19. Thereafter, the procedure describedabove in FIGS. 19-21A is followed to apply the winged catheter 10 to thepatient. This includes the step of applying an adhesive tape 85 inoverlying relationship to the installed winged catheter securing tape 20g, as depicted in FIG. 34, with the ends of tape 85 being adhesivelysecured to the skin.

Another winged catheter securing tape embodiment 20 h is shown in FIGS.35 and 36. This embodiment comprises an adhesive tape 87 having anon-adhesive surface 89 and an adhesive surface 90. Two spaced patches91 of adhesive material are applied to the non-adhesive surface 89 witha non-adhesive space 92 therebetween which in essence corresponds topeninsula-like portion, such as 84, shown above relative to FIG. 33 andother figures. A non-adhesive strip 93 is adhesively attached to theadhesive undersurface 90 of tape 87. The winged catheter 10 has itswings 15 attached to spaced adhesive patches 91, as shown in FIG. 36.After the two pieces 94 of release paper are removed from the adhesiveundersurface 90, the winged catheter securing tape 20 h can be appliedto the skin 14 of the patient, and will occupy a final position as shownin FIG. 36. The securing tape 20 h is applied to the skin by the methodshown in FIGS. 19-21A, or it can be applied in the manner such as shownin FIGS. 23 and 24. In FIG. 37 an embodiment 20 i of a securing tape isshown which includes a non-adhesive type of tape 49 as described indetail above relative to FIG. 13. This mounts on a tape film or stratum95 which has adhesive surfaces 97 on opposite sides thereof. This wasalluded to above as a member which could function in the same manner asthe double-sided tape 53 described above relative to FIG. 13. Two piecesof release paper 99 are applied to the undersurface 97 and are removedprior to installation in the manner described above relative to FIGS.19-21A. While not shown in FIG. 37, it can have a non-adhesive striplike 55 of FIG. 13 on its undersurface. Thus, the only differencebetween FIG. 37 and FIG. 13 is that the latter uses double-sidedadhesive type whereas FIG. 37 utilizes an adhesive film or stratumhaving adhesive on opposite sides thereof.

In FIG. 38 another embodiment 20 j of a winged catheter securing tape isshown. This embodiment includes a non-adhesive tape 100 having an uppernon-adhesive surface 101 and a lower non-adhesive surface. Two spacedadhesive areas 102 are located on the lower surface. A non-adhesivestrip 106 of the lower surface is located between adhesive areas 102. Inaddition, it has two spaced adhesive areas 103 located on upper surface101 with a non-adhesive portion 104 therebetween. The adhesive surfaces102 and 103 are coated on said upper surface by roll coating or sprayingor any other suitable coating method other than by application ofseparate distinct patches of tape or adhesive stratum. Release paperpieces 105 cover the non-adhesive surface 101 by adhering to adhesivepatches 103. Two pieces of release paper 107 cover adhesive surfaces102.

In FIG. 39 another winged catheter securing tape embodiment 20 k isshown which is fabricated from a plurality of pieces of one-sidedadhesive tape. In this respect, one-sided adhesive tape member 110 has anon-adhesive surface 111 and an adhesive surface 112. It also hascutouts 113 therein with a peninsula-like member 114 therebetween. Theadhesive 112 is across the entire lower surface. A second piece ofone-sided adhesive tape 115 has an adhesive upper surface 117 and anon-adhesive lower surface 119. Adhesive tape 115 has its adhesivesurface 117 adhered to adhesive surface 112 such that portions of itsadhesive upper surface 117 are located within cutouts 113 with theadhesive facing upwardly so as to adhesively secure the wings 115thereto as described above relative to other embodiments. A third piece120 of one-sided adhesive tape has an upper non-adhesive surface 121 andan adhesive surface 122. One-sided adhesive tape 120 is placed inunderlying relationship to one-sided adhesive tape 110 so that it isadhesively secured thereto. The securement would be at all sides aroundtape 117. A strip of material 123 is adhesively secured to adhesivesurface 122 so that it underlies peninsula-like member 114 and extendsall the way to the rear edge of one-sided tape 120. Two pieces 124 ofrelease paper are adhesively secured to the adhesive surface 122. Amodification of FIG. 39 can use a piece of two-sided adhesive ratherthan one-sided adhesive tape 115. This modification would provideadhesive contact to the non-adhesive surface 121 of tape 120. The wingedcatheter securing tape 20 k can function in the same manner describedabove relative to FIGS. 19-21A.

FIGS. 40 and 41 are modifications of FIGS. 7 and 10, respectively. Allnumerals on FIGS. 40 and 41 which are identical to the numerals on FIGS.2 and 10, respectively, designate like elements of structure andtherefore will not be described again. FIGS. 40 and 41 differ from FIGS.7 and 10, respectively, in that the tabs are secured to the bases byhook and pile fabric rather than by adhesive connections. In thisrespect, in FIG. 40 the outer end of tab 17 has a patch of pile fabric131 secured thereto, and a patch of hook fabric 147 is secured to theouter end of base portion 23. In addition, a piece of pile fabric 22′ issecured proximate the fixed end of tab 17 and a piece of hook fabric 25′is secured on base portion 23 proximate tab 17. When the tab 17 isclosed, as shown in FIG. 4, pile fabric 22′ will mate with hook fabric25′, and pile fabric 131 will mate with hook fabric 147.

As noted above, the embodiment of FIG. 41 also utilizes hook and pilefabric to secure tab 26′ to base portion 23′. In this respect a patch ofpile fabric 132 is secured proximate the free end of tab 26′ and a patch145 of hook fabric is secured proximate the outer end of base 23′. Inaddition, a patch of pile fabric 122 is secured to tab 26′ proximatebase 23′ and a patch 123 of hook fabric is secured to base 23′ proximatetab 26′. When the tab 26′ is engaged with base 23′, as shown in FIG. 12,the pile fabric 122 will mesh with hook fabric 123 and the pile fabric132 will mesh with hook fabric 145.

Preferably the hook and pile fabrics which are utilized in FIGS. 40 and41 are a product of Velcro Corporation sold under the trademark ULTRAMATE. The specific designation of this product is HTH-8300709915. Theadvantage of using this particular type of hook and pile fabric is thatit is of a lower height than the normal hook and pile fabric which waspreviously on the market, and in effect, it is approximately {fraction(1/10)}th the height of the previous hook and pile fabric.

In FIG. 42 another winged catheter securing tape embodiment 20 m isshown in exploded form. It includes a one-sided tape member 150 having anon-adhesive surface 151 and an adhesive surface 152. An adhesive tape153 having an adhesive surface 154 and an non-adhesive surface 155 isadhesively secured to the adhesive surface 152 so that adhesive isexposed through cutouts 157. Alternately if desired, member 153 can bedouble-sided adhesive or two small patches of one-sided adhesive tape ortwo small patches of double-sided adhesive tape. Member 153 should justextend slightly beyond the cutouts sufficiently so that its edges adhereto tape 150. An adhesive tape 159 is adhesively secured to tape 150. Inthis respect it has a non-adhesive surface 160 and an adhesive surface161. Non-adhesive members 162, 163 and 164 are adhesively secured toadhesive surface 161 of adhesive tape 159. In this respect members 162and 163 are adhesively secured at the ends of member 159 and member 164is adhesively secured to the central portion of member 159 underneathpeninsula-like portion 165 of tape 150. Members 162, 163 and 164 extendfor the entire width of member 159. Preferably member 164 should be thesame width as peninsula-like portion 165. Release paper 167 isadhesively secured to the portion of adhesive 161 between members 163and 164. Release paper 169 is adhesively secured to the portion ofadhesive surface 161 between members 162 and 164. The end 170 of releasepaper 169 overlies a portion of release paper 167 so that it can begrasped easily for removal. Members 162 and 163 essentially block theadhesive at the end portions of adhesive surface 161 so that the ends ofadhesive tape 159 are not adhesively secured to the skin so that theends can readily be grasped for removal from the skin.

While not shown in FIGS. 1-12, it will be appreciated that theseembodiments may have a strip such as 55 of FIG. 13 or equivalentnon-adhesive strips such as 106 of FIG. 38 on their undersurfaces.

It is to be noted that in all figures where the fistula needle isactually in operating position for dialysis, the conical nose is in therequired abutting relationship with the patient's skin to seal the skinagainst blood flow through the area of skin penetration.

It is also to be noted that while the release paper is shown in acentral overlapping position only in the embodiment of FIG. 42, thisoverlapping relationship can be effected in all other embodiments whererelease paper is shown.

While preferred embodiments of the present invention have beendisclosed, it will be appreciated that it is not limited thereto but maybe otherwise embodied within the scope of the following claims.

1. A winged catheter securing tape comprising a tape base having anupper surface and a lower surface, at least one first adhesive surfaceon said upper surface, second and third adhesive surfaces on said lowersurface, and a non-adhesive surface on said lower surface between saidsecond and third adhesive surfaces.
 2. A winged catheter securing tapeas set forth in claim 1 including a fourth adhesive surface on saidupper surface, and a second non-adhesive surface on said upper surfacebetween said first adhesive surface and said fourth adhesive surface. 3.A winged catheter securing tape as set forth in claim 2 wherein saidnon-adhesive surface is of smaller extent lengthwise of said tape basethan the extent of said second and third adhesive surfaces.
 4. A wingedcatheter securing tape as set forth in claim 3 wherein said non-adhesivesurface on said lower surface substantially underlies said secondnon-adhesive surface on said upper surface.
 5. A winged cathetersecuring tape as set forth in claim 4 wherein said second non-adhesivesurface is of substantially the same width as said non-adhesive surfaceon said lower surface.
 6. A winged catheter securing tape as set forthin claim 2 wherein said non-adhesive surface on said lower surfacesubstantially underlies said second non-adhesive surface on said uppersurface.
 7. A winged catheter securing tape as set forth in claim 6wherein said second non-adhesive surface is of substantially the samewidth as said non-adhesive surface on said lower surface.
 8. A wingedcatheter securing tape as set forth in claim 2 wherein said firstadhesive surface and said second adhesive surface are on an adhesivemember.
 9. A winged catheter securing tape as set forth in claim 8wherein said adhesive member is a double sided adhesive tape.
 10. Awinged catheter securing tape as set forth in claim 8 wherein saidadhesive member is a stratum of adhesive.
 11. A winged catheter securingtape as set forth in claim 10 wherein said non-adhesive surface on saidlower surface substantially underlies said second non-adhesive surfaceon said upper surface.
 12. A winged catheter securing tape as set forthin claim 11 including at least one non-adhesive end on said lowersurface of said tape base.
 13. A winged catheter securing tape as setforth in claim 11 including non-adhesive ends on said lower surface ofsaid tape base.
 14. A winged catheter securing tape as set forth inclaim 8 wherein said first adhesive surface and said fourth adhesivesurface are located within cutouts on said tape base.
 15. A wingedcatheter securing tape as set forth in claim 14 wherein saidnon-adhesive surface on said lower surface substantially underlies saidsecond non-adhesive surface on said upper surface.
 16. A winged cathetersecuring tape as set forth in claim 15 including at least onenon-adhesive end on said lower surface of said tape base.
 17. A wingedcatheter securing tape as set forth in claim 15 including non-adhesiveends on said lower surface of said tape base.
 18. A winged cathetersecuring tape as set forth in claim 17 including an adhesive tapeoverlying said upper surface of said tape base. 19-26. (canceled)
 27. Awinged catheter securing tape as set forth in claim 2 wherein said tapebase includes a double-sided adhesive member, and wherein saidnon-adhesive surface on said lower surface is a first strip ofnon-adhesive material, and wherein said second non-adhesive surface is asecond strip of non-adhesive material on said upper surface inopposition to said first strip of non-adhesive material.
 28. A wingedcatheter securing tape as set forth in claim 27 wherein saiddouble-sided adhesive member is a stratum of adhesive.
 29. A wingedcatheter securing tape as set forth in claim 27 including release paperon said lower surface.
 30. A winged catheter securing tape as set forthin claim 2 wherein said first and fourth adhesive surfaces and saidsecond and third adhesive surfaces are on an adhesive member, and spacedcutouts on said tape base through which said first and fourth adhesivesurfaces are exposed.
 31. (canceled)
 32. A winged catheter securing tapeas set forth in claim 30 wherein said adhesive member is a stratum ofadhesive.
 33. A winged catheter securing tape as set forth in claim 2wherein said first and fourth areas of adhesive are patches of adhesiveadhesively secured to said upper surface. 34-35. (canceled)
 36. A wingedcatheter securing tape as set forth in claim 2 wherein said first andfourth adhesive surfaces are coated on said upper surface of said tapebase.
 37. A winged catheter securing tape as set forth in claim 36wherein said second non-adhesive area surface on said upper surface isan uncoated surface of said tape base.
 38. A winged catheter securingtape as set forth in claim 36 wherein said second and third adhesivesurfaces on said lower surface are coated on said lower surface.
 39. Awinged catheter securing tape as set forth in claim 38 wherein saidsecond and third adhesive surfaces which are coated on said lowersurface comprises two spaced surfaces with an uncoated surface of saidlower surface of said tape base therebetween.
 40. A winged cathetersecuring tape as set forth in claim 39 wherein said uncoated surface onsaid lower surface is in opposition to said second uncoated surface onsaid upper surface.
 41. A winged catheter securing tape as set forth inclaim 2 wherein said tape base comprises a first length of adhesive tapehaving a first upper non-adhesive surface and a first lower adhesivesurface, and a second length of adhesive tape having a secondnon-adhesive surface and a second adhesive surface adhesively secured tosaid first lower adhesive surface, and a third length of adhesive tapehaving a third upper non-adhesive surface secured to said first loweradhesive surface and a third adhesive surface, and a said secondnon-adhesive area being secured to said third adhesive surface inopposition to said first non-adhesive area surface.
 42. A wingedcatheter securing tape as set forth in claim 2 wherein said secondnon-adhesive surface is in the form of a peninsula, and wherein saidfirst and fourth adhesive surfaces are located within cutouts on saidtape base.
 43. (canceled)
 44. A winged catheter securing tape as setforth in claim 1 including a tab having an end secured to said base anda free end.
 45. A winged catheter securing tape as set forth in claim 44including an area of adhesive on said tab proximate said free endthereof.
 46. A winged catheter securing tape as set forth in claim 44wherein said base has an end, and a second area of adhesive on said baseproximate said end facing upwardly relative to said upper surface.
 47. Awinged catheter securing tape as set forth in claim 44 including an areaof adhesive on said tab facing said at least one area on said base inoverlying relation thereto when said tab lies substantially along saidbase.
 48. A winged catheter securing tape as set forth in claim 44including one of hook or pile fabric on said free end, and the other ofsaid hook or pile fabric on said base in opposition to said free end.49. A winged catheter securing tape as set forth in claim 48 including asecond one of hook or pile fabric on said tab proximate said end securedto said base, and the other of said second one of hook or pile fabric onsaid base in opposition to said second one of said hook or pile fabric.50. A winged catheter securing tape as set forth in claim 1 wherein saidat least one area of adhesive is an expanse of adhesive without anon-adhesive area within said expanse of adhesive.
 51. (canceled)
 52. Awinged catheter securing tape comprising a tape base having an uppersurface and a lower surface, a first adhesive surface on said lowersurface, second and third adhesive surfaces on said upper surface, and anon-adhesive surface on said upper surface between said second and thirdadhesive surfaces.
 53. A winged catheter securing tape as set forth inclaim 52 wherein said first and second and third adhesive surfaces areon a double sided adhesive tape.
 54. A winged catheter securing tape asset forth in claim 52 wherein said first and second and third adhesivesurfaces are on a stratum of adhesive.
 55. A winged catheter securingtape as set forth in claim 52 including at least one non-adhesive end onsaid lower surface of said tape base.
 56. A winged catheter securingtape as set forth in claim 52 including non-adhesive ends on said lowersurface of said tape base.
 57. A winged catheter securing tape as setforth in claim 52 wherein said second and third adhesive surfaces arelocated within cutouts on said base.
 58. A winged catheter securing tapeas set forth in claim 57 including at least one non-adhesive end on saidlower surface of said tape base.
 59. A winged catheter securing tape asset forth in claim 57 including non-adhesive ends on said lower surfaceof said tape base.